, 1887-08-18
Notorious SanQitiU.
AN INTERESTING SKETCH or THEIR WILD
CAREER AND Tragic FiTE

No more romantic story can be
found in the realm OF fiction than
that Of the conduct and fate OF the
"Piummer band" This was an as
sociation of cut-throats and highway
men that infested Montana in 1863
+ In his Popular Tribunals, l."
Hubert Howe Bancroft gives a very
elaborate account Of the matter, from
which wo CLEAN 4 synopsis for the
benefit of CUr readers.
Henry Plummcr, leader Of the
band. came 10 California in 1852, set
Ting at Nevada City, where lac was
made marshal in 1856. Before his
term of Office expired, however, he
was convicted of the murder OF We'd
der, Il German. from whom he had
.alienated his wife, and was sentenced
TO ten years imprisonment; but, on
the plea OF i'll health, was pardGncd
by Governor Weller. Another mur-
ous assault, which ultimately proved
fatal, and u stage robbery followed;
for this latter lie was tried and ac-
quilted. Now his record OF crime
rapidly heightened; he breaks jail,
and assisting in the escape of May
ield, another murder, eventually
reaches BaHnock, Montana, where q
year later, 1864, his notorious career
ends. He had eluded pursuit on his
way hither through notices that he
himself had published in California
papers of his execution in Washing
ton territory. In spite of his estab,
lished character, he secured the cleo
ton of himself as sheriff, not only oi
Bannock but Of Virginia, Montana
and the appointment of his road
agents rs deputies. Then followed d
reign of terror. When they had
killed over one hundred and twenty
citizens, plundered stages, express
shipments, and private individuals,
the forbearance of the people was at
an end. Organizing vigileRce COM
mittee, they did not relax their efforts
until they had hanged about twenty
of the moro prominent desperadoes
Among this number was Henry Plum.
mer, the great Leader, who, when
brought to realize his fate, begged
hard for his life, cried Ike a little
child, asked to be chained down, of
fered to leave the country forever
and declared that he was too wicked
to die. In his possession was found
paper describing the band and Civ
ing an account os their movements
and their future plans. This docu
ment contained the names Of eighty
members OF the foul fraternity.
Plummer was the most notoriou:
OF Montana dGsparadCos and his or
gani2ation was the most powerful oi
early times.
The majority of these charatter;
died game" Que Of them, Eras,
tus Wager, generally known as Red
with rope round his neck, exclaimed
Good bye, boys; God bless you
You are on good Undertaking." Oi
John Wagner, or Dutch John, it Is
said that the bravery exhibited wher
on the gallows, excited the sympathy
and admiration Of is executioners
On the morning of the I4th of Janu-
ary, ga, Boone Helm, JACK Gallagher
Frank Parish, Haze Lyons, and Geo
Lane, OF Club foot George; were
hanged in Virginia City, Montana
Gallagher appeared to treat the mat
ter rs joke ut first, but when fully
satisfied as to its reality, cursed vehe
mentiy. His last words were. y
hope that folkod tightening WI
strike every one of you" Boone
looking at the muscular coutortiuus
of Gallagher, said, Kick away old
fellow; I'll be in hell with you in {
minute Alex. Carter, another oI
tho desp;radoes, when told of the
convictions and executions that had
taken piacr. said, Alright; not an in
nocent man hung yet" George
Shears, vino was hanged about the
same time, addressed his captors OF
the occasion OF his execution in the
following unique phrasoology: Gen.
tiemen, I'm not used TO tins business
never having been hung before
Shall / slide or jump off" Being
told to jump off, he said, "All rightr
and ieaped into the air with as much
!SdRgJrOid rs If bathing. The exc
cution of Bill Hunter near the Gal
latin, February Sd, '64. completed
the chHp;rr, SO far rs the "PlammeI
band was concerned, and the reign
of terror was over. At this time the
Montana vigilance committee com
prised over one thousand members
exercising sway over the country
round SirginiH, Bannock, and Nevada
| City, and far beyond